Hi colleagues, the SSAC has published SSAC2025-02: SSAC Public Comment on How we Meet: An Initial Project Report. The SSAC submitted its response to the public comment proceeding on 09 May 2025. This correspondence provides a summary of the SSAC’s positions on the specific proposals detailed within the "How We Meet: An Initial Project Report." Proposals SSAC Supports: · Topic #1: Shorten the Community Forum by one day o 1.1 Shortening the Community Forum by one day. o 1.2.a Moving the Public Forum and Geopolitical Forum earlier in the meeting, to the same day as the Welcome Ceremony and Executive Q&A session, to limit the need for the main ballroom to a single day. o 1.2.b Scheduling any community wrap-up sessions that may be needed in the final block at the end of the fifth and last day. o 1.2.c Adding a new Board-community engagement session open to everyone, to discuss issues of broad common interest, to limit the need for the Board to discuss the same topics in isolation with individual groups. · Topic #2: Prioritize economical and predictable meeting locations o 2.1.a Prioritizing meeting locations that offer economical travel, venue, and accommodation options while respecting the need to rotate ICANN Public Meetings across the various geographic regions, and on the understanding that this could mean returning to the same venue within a specific geographic region. o 2.1.b Returning to previous locations where this is feasible and within the geographical rotation requirement. ■ SSAC Additional Feedback: In selecting venues, countries that are not consistent with ICANN core values of diversity and inclusion should not be selected. · Topic #3: Establish a policy for automatic shift to online meetings o 3.1 Establishing a policy to automatically shift an ICANN Public Meeting to an online format, should unforeseen circumstances arise that necessitate moving a meeting from a planned venue. Proposals SSAC Does Not Support: · Topic #4: Convert one ICANN Public Meeting to a virtual-only format o 4.1 Converting one ICANN Public Meeting per year to an online format. o 4.2.a Conducting an online-only meeting once every few meetings (e.g., every fourth/fifth/sixth ICANN Public Meeting). Proposals for which SSAC Did Not Provide a Response: · Topic #1: Shorten the Community Forum by one day o 1.3 Suggestions for how a reduced 5-day Community Forum can also accommodate improved Board-community interactions while maintaining an adequate number of intra-community work sessions. · Topic #4: Convert one ICANN Public Meeting to a virtual-only format ○ 4.2.b Starting with a pilot of a fourth ICANN Public Meeting in a calendar year, but holding this fourth meeting online. · ○ 4.2.c Exploring a mixed-model where all the sessions are held online but attendees have the option of gathering in one physical location to maximize networking and relationship-building opportunities. The SSAC appreciates the opportunity to provide input on the "How We Meet" initiative and looks forward to continued engagement on this important topic. Link here: https://itp.cdn.icann.org/en/files/security-and-stability-advisory-committee... This correspondence mirrors the SSAC’s public comment submission. Link here: https://www.icann.org/en/public-comment/proceeding/how-we-meet-reviewing-the... Have a nice day! Best, Matthias ______________________________ Ing. Mag. Matthias M. Hudobnik FIP • CIPP/E • CIPT • DPO • CIS LA matthias@hudobnik.at http://www.hudobnik.at @mhudobnik